Method and apparatus for harvesting aquatic vegetation

ABSTRACT

A method for harvesting and transporting large quantities of aquatic vegetation. The apparatus includes a harvesting barge provided with paddle wheels and rudders for increased control in currents and wind and a series of longitudinally extending conveyors for moving the cut weeds onto a transport barge which is coupled in tandem with the harvesting barge. To compact the weeds and eliminate the need for a transport barge operator, the transport barge has a live bed controlled by a load sensor which activates the live bed to inch the weeds aftward on the transport barge as the weeds accumulate to a predetermined height in the hold. The transport barges are moved between the harvesting site and shore unloading site by a tugboat. The apparatus also includes a high capacity portable shore conveyor assembly which is adapted for all types of shore sites and which utilizes a first conveyor which can be supported by posts on the bottom of the lake or supported by a float and which includes coupling pins for connection with the couplers of the transport barge. A wheeled second conveyor is positioned on shore under the discharge end of the first conveyor, for conveying the weeds into a truck or pile. The second conveyor may be barge mounted.

Unite Bryant States Patent 51 A ia 4, 1972 [72] Inventor: Charles BrateBryant, Route 1, PO. Box

150, Wildwood Point Road, Hartland, Wis. 53029 [22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1970[21] Appl.N0.: 97,738

[52] U.S. Cl "56/1, 56/9,198/37 [51] Int. Cl. ..A01d 45/08 [58] Field ofSearch ..56/l 8, 9; 37/54, 69; 198/37; 214/12-14; 222/59, 64, 65

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,344,626 6/1920 Ellis..56/9

2,015,939 10/1935 Justus ..198/37 1,259,524 3/1918 Kelly ..l98/37Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. A. OliffAttorney-Wheeler, House & Wheeler [5 7] ABSTRACT A method for harvestingand transporting large quantities of aquatic vegetation. The apparatusincludes a harvesting barge provided with paddle wheels and rudders forincreased control in currents and wind and a series of longitudinallyextending conveyors for moving the cut weeds onto a transport bargewhich is coupled in tandem with the harvesting barge. To compact theweeds and eliminate the need for a transport barge operator, thetransport barge has a live bed controlled by a load sensor whichactivates the live bed to inch the weeds aftward on the transport bargeas the weeds accumulate to a predetermined height in the hold. Thetransport barges are moved between the harvesting site and shoreunloading site by a tugboat. The apparatus also includes a high capacityportable shore conveyor assembly which is adapted for all types of shoresites and which utilizes a first conveyor which can be supported byposts on the bottom of the lake or supported by a float and whichincludes coupling pins for connection with the couplers of the transportbarge. A wheeled second conveyor is positioned on shore under thedischarge end of the first conveyor, for conveying the weeds into atruck or pile. The second conveyor may be barge mounted.

1 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING AQUATICVEGETATION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention relates to apparatusand a method for harvesting large quantities of aquatic vegetation at aminimum cost and with minimum of personnel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides apparatus and a method forharvesting large quantities of aquatic vegetation or weeds and loadingthe cut weeds onto a land vehicle for remote disposal. The apparatusincludes one harvesting barge provided with a weed cutter and driven bypaddle wheels located on opposite sides of the barge. Rudders locatedrearwardly of the paddle wheels provide more forward thrust andincreased control in currents or wind.

To afford substantially continuous harvesting with the barvesting bargeand eliminate trips to shore by the harvesting barge to unload the cutweeds, one or more and desirably three transport barges are employed.The transport barges are moved by a tugboat or other motorized vessel.The transport barges include coupling members at each end for couplingwith the harvesting barge, the tug and a shore conveyor assembly at thevarious steps in the harvesting sequence. Automatic anchors on thetransport barges are provided with remote controls accessible by thetugboat operator to facilitate anchoring of the empty transport bargesat the harvesting site.

When the harvesting barge has filled its hold with a complement of cutweeds, the harvesting barge moves to and couples with an anchoredtransport barge. The weeds are transferred to the transport barge by aseries of longitudinally extending conveyors on the harvesting barge. Tocompact the weeds on the transport barge and minimize the number oftrips to shore required for unloading, and to eliminate the need for anoperator on the transport barge, the transport barges are provided witha load sensing arrangement located above the transport barge loadingbin. When the accumulated weeds in the loading bin have attained aself-compacting, predetermined height, a pivotally supported plate isdisplaced by the weeds to actuate a switch and energize a motor whichactivates the live bed of the loading bin to progressively inch the weedcomplement rearwardly from the loading bin as the weeds accumulate tothe selected height.

When the transport barge is loaded, it is decoupled from the harvestingbarge and the harvesting barge continues harvesting weeds at theharvesting site. When the tug returns to the harvesting site with anempty, and second, transport barge, the second transport barge isdecoupled from the tug and anchored and the first transport barge iscoupled with the tug and moved to the shore unloading site where a thirdtransport is discharging its load unto the shore conveying assembly.While the second transport barge is unloading, the third now emptytransport barge is moved to the harvesting area. Thus, a substantiallycontinuous harvesting operation is provided using only two operators,one on the harvesting barge and one on the tug.

The invention also provides a shore conveying assembly for rapidlyunloading the transport barge and loading the harvested weeds onto atruck or in a pile. The shore conveying assembly includes a firstconveyor which has a frame which can be supported on the lake bottom byvertically adjustable posts or above the bottom by a float, The frame isprovided with vertical coupling pins which couple with the couplings onthe transport barge. The coupling pins are located on both sides of theframe so that two transport barges can be coupled to the shore conveyingassembly at one time. The first conveyor discharges onto a secondconveyor which is provided with wheels for transportation on the land.The wheeled conveyor can be supported adjacent the shore by a barge oron the shore.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following disclosure.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a harvesting barge inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transport barge in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a barge-mounted shore conveyor assembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the load sensing arrangement.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the couplingarrangement between the transport barge and harvesting barge.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the rudderassembly for the harvesting barge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a transportbarge.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the anchor assembly shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a shore mounted shore conveyorassembly.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit employed in thetransport barge.

FIG. 11 is a diagramatic top view of two transport barges coupled to theshore unloading assembly.

FIG. 12 is a diagramatic view showing the sequence of steps of theharvesting method of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof isdetailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplifythe invention which may be embodied in other specific structures.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an aquatic weed harvesting barge which isgenerally designated 10 and which includes a cutting assembly 12, afirst conveyor 14 for conveying the cut vegetation into the barge, alive bed or second conveyor 16 and a discharge conveyor 18 for dumpingthe weeds into a transport barge as hereinafter described.

The harvesting barge 10 is propelled by right and left paddle wheels 20which facilitate operation of the harvesting barge 10 in shallow waterand in thick weed growth. The paddle wheels 20 are independently drivenby reversible hydraulic motors (not shown). To increase the control ofthe harvesting barge 10 in winds and currents and provide more forwardthrust, the invention provides a rudder assembly (FIG. 6) which includesa rudder 22 located aft of each of the paddle wheels. The rudders 22 arepivotally supported on the barge 10 by brackets 24, each having a boss26 which receives a pin 28. The pins 28 are fixedly secured to theleading edge of the rudder. Swinging movement of the rudders 22 aboutthe pivotal connections with the brackets 24 is afforded by arms 30fixed to the pins 28. One of the arms 30 is pivotally connected to thepiston rod 32 of a double acting hydraulic cylinder 34. The arm 30 isconnected to a control rod 36 which is connected to the arm 30 on theoppositely located rudder pin 28 (not shown). Thus, both rudders changeposition by actuation of the cylinder 34.

The transport barge 37 disclosed in FIG. 2, includes a hold or a loadingbin 38, provided with a live bed or first conveyor 40 and an inclineddischarge conveyor 40A. In accordance with the invention, the transportbarge is provided with loadsensing means to activate a live bed and movethe weeds rearwardly from the loading bin 38 when the weeds accumulateto a preselected height. As disclosed, the means comprises a plate 42(FIG. 4) which is hinged to a bracket 45. A switch 46 having a controlmember located rearwardly of the plate 42 is actuated upon rearwarddisplacement of the plate 42 by the accumulated weeds 48. When theswitch is actuated, it energizes suitable controls (FIG. 10) to actuatethe live beds 40A and 40 and move the accumulated weeds rearwardly. Asthe loading bin is refilled, the live bed or conveyor 40 is againactivated. The transport barge 37 can be provided with an operatorstation 41, if the barge 37 is self-propelled and the tug 43 is notalways used to move the transport barge between the harvesting site andshore unloading site.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the harvesting barge 10, the transport barge 37and the tug 43 are provided with pairs of spaced, pressure actuatedcouplings 44 which are commonly connected to an uncoupling control cable49 for remote operation. The couplings 44 couple with vertical couplingpins 47 located on the transport barge and on the shore conveyingassembly as hereinafter described. The coupling arrangement permits thetransport barge to shift vertically downwardly as the transport barge 37is loaded with weeds. The coupling arrangement also positively positionsthe transport barge longitudinally of the harvesting barge for inlinemovement of the weeds from the weed cutter to the loading bin 38 of thetransport barge.

FIG. 3 discloses one embodiment of the shore conveying assembly of theinvention, which is generally designated 60, and which includes a firstconveyor 62 having a frame 64. Spaced vertical coupling pins 70 aresecured to the frame 64 by horizontal posts 72. The coupling pins 70permit transport barges to be coupled to the first conveyor 62 fromeither side as shown in FIG. 11 and afford upward vertical movement ofthe transport barge 37 as the barge 37 is unloaded.

The shore conveyor assembly 60 also includes a wheel supported secondconveyor 76 which is supported above the water on a barge 78. Means areprovided for supporting the first conveyor on the water. As disclosed,the means includes a pair of pivotally mounted stabilizing arms 80 onthe barge 78. When in use, the stabilizing arms 80 are located underhorizontal posts 72 and maintained in engagement therewith by a float82, located at the free ends of the arms 80. The arms 80 are rigidifiedby clamps or holddowns 81. The float has sufficient buoyancy to supportthe first conveyor and the stabilizing arms and float minimize rollingand tilting of the barge due to variations in loading and location ofthe conveyor 76 on the barge. The second conveyor 76 loads the weeds ina pile or on a truck 79. The first conveyor 62 provides a structure forcoupling with the transport barge 37. The second conveyor 76 and barge78 permit the first conveyor 62 to be located in sufficiently deep waterto enable the transport barge 37 to maneuver into a coupling positionalong the sides of the first conveyor 62.

FIG. 9 discloses a further embodiment of a shore unloading assemblywhich is generally designated 100. In this embodiment, a first conveyor102 is supported on a frame 104. The frame is supported on the shore orlake bed by a plurality of vertically adjustable posts 106, each havinga foot plate 108. The conveyor 102 is provided with detachable sidewalls 110. Side walls of 110 of varying heights are desirable tofacilitate unloading of difierent types of weeds. Coupling pins 112 areprovided on one or both sides of the conveyor 102. i

The conveyor 102 discharges into a wheeled conveyor 114 for dischargeinto the truck 79.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a transport barge 1 16 whichincludes a loading bin 118 with a conveyor 121 which forms a live bedfor the hold. The transport barge 1 16 includes the load sensing plate42 and switch 46.

The transport barge 116 is also provided with an anchor assembly (FIG.8) which includes a drum 122 driven by a reversible hydraulic motor 124.To afford remote operation of the anchor assembly, an electrical switchcontrol box 126 is mounted for access by the operator of the tugboat 43when the tug 43 is coupled to the transport barge. Thus, the anchor I28can be raised and lowered with the tug operator remaining on the tug.

The transport barge 116 also includes an engine, hydraulic pump, andsolenoid valve assembly 130 (FIGS. 7, 10) for operating the hydraulicmotors for the anchor assembly, the conveyor 121 and an inclineddischarge conveyor 132.

In operation of the apparatus of the invention and in practicing themethod, the harvesting barge 10 is moved into a suitable weed harvestingsite 136 (FIG. 12) by the harvesting barge operator and the cuttin ofvegetation commenced.

A first transport barge 11 is moved to the harvesting site 136 andanchored. When the hold of the harvesting barge 10 is filled, it coupleswith the transport barge 1 l6 and transfers the complement of weeds tothe transport barge 116. The harvesting barge 10 is decoupled usingcontrol cable 49, then returns to the harvesting area and continues tocut weeds.

The tug 43 brings an empty transport 116A to the harvesting site 136 andanchors the tug 116A at the site and decouples. The tug 43 next coupleswith the filled transport barge 116 and the tug operator raises theanchor and the barge 116 is moved to the shore unloading site 140 andcoupled to the shore unloading assembly. The unloaded transport 1168 isthen moved to the harvesting site and the sequence continued.

The tug operator can also operate the shore unloading assembly andcontrol the conveyors on the transport barges using a remote controlswitch or valve assembly 144 (FIG. 9) which is connected to valve andpump assembly 130 by a cable 146.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of harvesting aquatic vegetation comprising the steps ofcutting vegetation with a self-propelled harvesting barge and fillingthe hold of the harvesting barge with cut vegetation, moving theharvesting barge to an anchored transport barge having a loading binwith an automatically controlled live bed, coupling the harvesting bargeto the transport barge and transfering the vegetation complement of theharvesting barge into the transport barge, accumulating the weeds on thelive bed of the transport barge until they attain a pre-determinedheight, progressively moving the accumulated weeds rearwardly on thetransport barge by automatic actuation of the live bed in response toattainment of said predetermined height, and moving the filled transportbarge to a shore conveyor using a self-propelled vessel, andrecommencing cutting with the harvesting barge.

1. A method of harvesting aquatic vegetation comprising the steps ofcutting vegetation with a self-propelled harvesting barge and fillingthe hold of the harvesting barge with cut vegetation, moving theharvesting barge to an anchored transport barge having a loading binwith an automatically controlled live bed, coupling the harvesting bargeto the transport barge and transfering the vegetation complement of theharvesting barge into the transport barge, accumulating the weeds on thelive bed of the transport barge until they attain a pre-determinedheight, progressively moving the accumulated weeds rearwardly on thetransport barge by automatic actuation of the live bed in response toattainment of said predetermined height, and moving the filled transportbarge to a shore conveyor using a selfpropelled vessel, and recommencingcutting with the harvesting barge.